Comparing the LD and DVD
Potential buyers of DVD players--and laserdisc owners who contemplate a switch--may have some questions. Here are some answers:
Question: What’s the difference between laserdisc and DVD video?
Answer: Laserdiscs (LDs) store video in analog forms while DVD stores it digitally, that is, broken down into a pattern of zeros and ones, as with music CDs. Both LDs and DVDs have digital audio. LDs are larger, 12 inches, the same as 33 rpm records. DVD discs are the same size as audio CDs.
Q: Does one have an advantage over the other?
A: DVDs are generally cheaper than LDs, a third less in some cases. There are still more titles available in LD, but already DVD is more widely available and swiftly pushing LDs aside at video outlets. Some viewers contend that LD recording is richer and more faithful to the original, but DVD scores higher on convenience. The smaller discs hold more material per side and don’t have to be “flipped” in the middle of a film. They can also be played not only on a dedicated DVD player but on a computer with a DVD drive, which can be hooked up to a TV set.
Q: Can the two types of discs be played on the same player?
A: Usually not, but Pioneer Electronics makes players that handle both formats at a list price of $1,275.
Q: Can you record on the discs, as you can on videotape?
A: Both are playback-only for now. Philips Electronics says it will market DVD recorders next year.
Q: How much do the new DVD players cost?
A: From just under $300 to more than $1,000 (all are also capable of playing music CDs).
Q: Can I still get laserdiscs for my old player? Where?
A: LDs are quickly vanishing from video stores to make space for hot-selling DVDs. But two San Fernando Valley stores say they still have thousands of titles in stock:
Dave’s Video at 12144 Ventura Blvd., Studio City (818) 760-3472; and Laserworld at 9820 Topanga Canyon Blvd., Chatsworth (818) 709-7884.
On the Internet, the Ken Crane’s site (now owned by Image Entertainment) has a catalog of more than 7,800 LD titles (https://www.kencranes.com). Other online LD merchants include Digital Eyes Laserdiscs and DVD (https://www.digitaleyes.net), CDworld(https://www.cdworld.com) and CDnow (https://www.cdnow.com).